Losheng activists protest in city

SPIRITED:Protesters clashed with police in Taipei City Hall’s lobby after they rushed in to speak to Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin, who had to be escorted out of the building

By Loa Iok-sin and Mo Yan-chih / Staff reporters

DORTS commissioner Richard Chen (陳椿亮) said the MRT line was under conditional operation, as the maintenance depot was still under construction.

Huilong MRT Station, which had been used for maintenance sites, would be shut down for maintenance use again if the line suffered any breakdown, he said.

When land subsidence occurred during construction of the maintenance depot, the DORTS suspended the work and promised that construction would not resume until a more stable, long-term construction method was found.

Chen said the city government decided to launch the station for the convenience of residents of the Sinjhuang area.

In response to the protesters’ suggestion that the department move the maintenance depot to a new location, Chen said the relocation of the maintenance depot required new route planning and another environmental impact assessment, as well as a land acquirement and financial assessment, which could take another 10 years to complete.

He declined to confirm whether the department would consider relocating the depot.